Te Transactions. 
and of the local magistrate, and, indeed, in some matters of the 
Court of Session, were by Statute, 1593, co-ordinate, but the 
former had full powers in questions of the faith and of morals in 
the first instance. 
We may in a general way classify the accusations, or ‘‘delations” 
as they were called, before the Kirk-session and Presbyteries by 
virtue of some Scotch Act of Parliament, as including all offences 
against religion or decency or the well-being of the community in 
general. These were enormous powers, some of them necessary 
in those days to preserve law and order, especially in landward 
parts where there was no local magistrate; but others of them 
were a meddlesome interference with the liberty of the subject, 
such as charges of cutting wood or kail, driving cattle, carrying 
water, or walking on the Dock Park of Dumfries during the 
hours of divine service ! 
In cases where members of the congregation were suspected of 
being Papists they were summoned, interrogated, and if a prama 
facie case were made out, it was reported to the Presbytery for 
further inquiry. 
Here are a few of these charges, but for others I refer you to 
the Cowrier of 1878 :— 
Trreqular Church Attendance.—June 11, 1699.—The Session 
considering that many persons in this parish attend only one 
diet of divine service, and go away home immediately after 
forenoon sermon, to the great disregard of the Gospel and offence 
of good persons, the Session orders that Church persons thus 
guilty shall be immediately cited to the Session and_ their 
pretences and excuses heard, which if found trivial and invalid 
shall be prosecuted as Sabbath-breakers and punished accordingly, 
and appoints intimation of this to be made on Sabbath first. 
Cutting Wood on Sunday.—This day William Hannah makes 
report that on Monday last the Laird of Lag delivered to him 
3 pounds 14 shillings for the use of the poor, being a part of a 
fine imposed on a man, Thomas Howat, for Sabbath breaking, 
being cutting wood the last Lord’s day in this parish. 
Walking on Fast Day.—March 31, 1701.—The quilk day 
John M‘Kie being cited, called, and compearing, was interrogate 
if it was he that was walking in time of Dumfries sermon on the 
Dock in sight of this congregation with Nethertown and Dirleton ; 
answered in the affirmative. Being interrogate if he went to 
Dumfries church that day, answered in the negative. And being 
